Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1887-09-24
TIE Mexican MendIcant.

Those who have never had the pleas
ure of an introduction 10 Mexican
mendlcant can have no idea of what an
entertaining rascal and sarcastic knaye
ho really is.
He is nothing unless he pretends to
be pious. and he always talks as II he
had unlimited influence with angels
and saints. In return for a few cents
he will promise to have more blessings
showered down on the generous do
nor than the latter can ever hope TO
obtain in an honorable and legitimate
way, or in the ordinary course OF
trade.
The Mexican pilgrim differs mate
rally from the mob of gospel buns who
try TO beat people out of money by
pounding drums and peeling the lin
| ing off their throats while bowling
idiotc madrigals The Mexican mem
| dicant usually hunts in gangs of one,
/ composed entirely of himself. He is
| ALWAYS suaye, and there is an air OF re-
signed sadness about him that is dis
covered in no other mendicant unless
| it be in some Republican postmaster
who Is trying to persuade Pres dent
4 Cleveland that the interests of civil SER
vice will be advanced by mutual en-
deavor by the president and himself
to keep each other in office.
A traVeled-staIned old beggar once
applied at the house of Mexican lady
living in the suburbs of San Antonio.
He presented miserable appearance,
his tattered SerGpe being thrown with
graceful negligence over his frail and
trembling form, bent with the storms
and sorrows of more than three score
wears of poverty and misfortune.
'tPor Ell amor de Dos, have pity on
a poor old man and give him q nights
LODGING. and YOU will be awarded in
heaven" said the old Mexican, turning
up his eyes until only the whites. OF
rather the yellows, of them were yisi-
bic. The lady was moved with com.
passion, and told one of her servants tc
give the old man his supper and bed
Next morning the old pilgrim arose
at very early hour. 1t was his inten
ton not to leave until he had thanked
his hostess and had a warm breakfast
but he happened to peer into yacan
room, the door of which had been lief
open. when what should he perceiv'
but a small silver image of a Virgin il
a niche. as is customary in the house
of wealthy Catholics.
He was a very religious old man. ii
stealthily approached the silver imagt
in most humble position, and placin,
it under his arm. sneaked out of tn
room, concealing the object of his de
0 yotions with his cloak. or Sera1e. III
: was lust about to emerge from til
$ house with his booty, when whor
:. should he meet but the lady of th
house herself, who was returning fror
! her early devotions.
..Whatr' she exclaimed, "are 70
!. going already |? Why do you not sta
y and have some breakfast ?"
"Ah, madame" said the old mar
u with grateful emotion, adjusting b
!, mantle so that she could not see th
L stolen image of the Virgin, show gla
e would be 10 accept your kind inyit;
u ton. but I have long journey befol
g me, and want to travel in the cool I
Q the morning. before the heat becom'
!. intolerable.
X II am sorry" replied the kin
y hearted lady; that you cannot stop
u breakfast, but l will not detain yol
W Good bye. and may the Virgin go vii
e you,n which is equivalent TO saying
IS English: Take care of yourself, o
= boy.m
y, When the old beggar heard this par
u ing salutation. he squeezed the SLY
~ image under his arm, and replied, in
voice husky with emotion
"a 'tAh. madame. you are indeed {
p kind. / indeed hope that the Virg
;n will 90 with me, and may all the sain
a' remain with you to comfort and co
X sole YOU in the hour of tribulatiOn.
oP SO saying he took his departure, a
III the Virgin did 60 with him, for n,
r. ther of them were ever seen afterward
nc although the police hunted the cou
ne try far and near. -Alez. SJoeet, in II
ls as SiftIngS.